Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-17
SUBURBAN HOMES
Opinions and Suggestions Of Represent
atiVe Citizens.
HEALTHFUL BOOM In SACRAMENTO.
A Spirited Call to Duty Doing-Sacra-
mento's Natural Transportation Ad-
vantages-Rich Suburban Lands
and Unlimited Water Supply.

We present herewith interviews had
with representative citizens concerning the
propositions which have been made in
these columns by correspondents, and by
this journal, for the building up of SUBJ
urban Sacramento, and its settlement by
hundreds OF families where there are now
but tens. These propositions, originating
in the thought and expression of citizens
who have for some time been considering
the matter of an effort for local advance
ment, include the idea Of subdivision of
outlying lands, and the construction of
light railways to suburban sections not al
ready reached by rail lines They include
also the idea of local agitation and con-
sultation, and of arousing the people to the
splendid opportunities that are at hand for
augmenting speedily the Importance, trade
and desirability of Sacramento. No sub
ject of deeper and more vital interest has
in recent years been presented to our citi-
zens. II has in it the idea of great achieve
ments, Of public spirit, of enterprise and
augmented prosperity.
Joseph Steffens, President of the Board
OF Trade, was asked what he thought of
the effort 10 revolutioniZe suburban Sacra-
mento.
g l see no reason" he replied, against
it."
You think an awakening then to the
possibility of the scheme good idea ?'
GOOD IDEA.
Why not? The extension of the Plac-
erville road will be completed soon now,
understand, and it is of great importance
to Sacramento. 1t will increase its import
ance as trade center still more and bring
the rich products of Ell Dorado here. and
much trade along with them"
Will the proposed scheme benefit Sac
ramento, as like schemes have helped
other places ?"
Sacramento has for many years had
steady growth. You can no more divert
her commercial importance than you can
keep the waves from rolling toward the
shore. Now, no other interior city has
grown so steadily and substantially in trade
importance, or been related to so wide a
trade area, except San Francisco, of course.
Therefore, the other towns have been COM
PEELED to boom; - but the best of them
have not reached our standard nor will
sured one of continued prosperity and COM
mercial Importance"
You do not advance that as reason for
not making a purely local effort here
now?"
By no means. The thing to do is
TO HELP OURSELVES,
And our Immediate vicinity all we can.
That stimulates all the other towns to emu
late us, and so we are benefited doubly-
by our own and by their prosperity. But |
tell you, it Will be worse for us to go into
local schemes and give them up"
You want something more than talk.
then?'
Exactly. We've had plenty of chin
ming Any movement of this character
must have behind it the spirit and resolve
to accomplish. We've got to get over lit
tie things, and mean to win, and we will"
The right spirit, then, will accomplish
it ?"
Yes. The situation looks very bright
to me for this city. 1t has a fine, large
trade, and facilities for doing double. The
pushing of the railroad to Oregon is giving
Sacramento trade already that formerly
went the other way. The movement for
new lines over in Yolo, the Capay Valley,
for instance, ought to be encouraged by
Sacramento"
But can not we help on the outside
trade by activity at home?"
of course. You know, as a iobber, |
look mostly to large area of trade out
side. Jobbers feel keen interest in the
development OF the Central and Northern
sections. But local effort, such as you
mention, will help retail trade, and that is
benefit to everybody"
Our example would be an aid to the
sections you look to outside, would it not?"
Yes, it would. Our local outside Sec
ton is not surpassed anywhere, let them
say what they will. Just look at our gar
den spots in all our suburbs, for ten or fif-
teen miles, and right up to the city. Where
is there anything really better?"
How shall we let the people abroad
know of this ?''
of course that is to be done, and all
such local efforts as suggested does it,"
The thing to do is to wake our people
up to this matter, is ii not? p
Yes, wake them up; but if they are to
meet and consult, it must be